Thomas ii



(No Model.) T. H. DONOVAN.

v B'00TOR"SHOB COUNTER.

l Patenffed-Dec. 24, 17895'.

AN DREW BGRMMMA PHOTO-LITHQWISHINGTOMDL THOMAS II. DONOVAN, OF VASIIINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BOOT OR SHOE COUNTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,759, dated December 24, 1895.

Application filed April l2, 1895. Y Serial No. 545,529. (No model.)

.To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that 1, THOMAS Il. DoNovAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot or Shoe Counters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had vto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in counters for boots and shoes, and it has particular reference to the use of aluminum in the construction of such counters.

IfIeretofore the use of aluminum in constructing boot and shoe counters has been found to be impracticable owing to the fact that the nature of the metal is such that when from any cause the counter is battered or bent inward it will not return to its normal position. This objection has precluded the possibility of using aluminum in the construction of boot-counters which are intended for use in the construction of riding-boots, such as are used by cowboys, cavalry soldiers and others, as the use of the spur upon the counter of the boot will very soon eect a denting in of the counter, which would serve to render the boot worthless.

Another objection to the use of aluminum, both in the construction of boot and shoe counters and also for many other purposes for which, on 'account of its strength, durability, and lightness, it would otherwise be particularly adapted, has been due to the fact that the nature of the metal is such that it does not furnish a good bearing-surface, and when nails, pegs or screws are passed through it the slightest movement laterally will cause the openings through which the fastening means are passed to wear away, thus rendering the fastening insecure and worthless.

The object of the present invention isto provide a means whereby the objections heretofore mentioned may be obviated and a light and serviceable counter suitable for use in the construction of riding and other boots or shoes may be provided.

To this end and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists in the pe culiar features of construction of the counter, whereby the counter is caused to retain its form and to return at once to its normal position in case it at any time' should be bent or dented inward; and the invention further consists in the novel means which I employ in securing the counter to the insole, whereby a limited lateral movement of the counter is permitted without the loosening of the fastening means, as would be the case if tacks or nails were employed, as is customary in securing counters of leather and other like material.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bootcounter-constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear view of amodified form of my counter. Fig. 4 is a section upon the line 4L 4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a section upon the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, the same being upon an enlarged scale.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by let-ter, A designates the counter proper, which may be of any approved form of construction, in its general outlines, and is molded of aluminum, or, if preferred, may be stamped or otherwise formed, as in the case of counters heretofore made. At the rear end of the counter is a thin steel spring B, which is preferably molded into the outer face of the counter and has its outer face flush with the outer face thereof, the spring extending vertically, as shown. This springstrip receives the blow which may at any time be imparted to the rear face of the counter, and serves to prevent the counter from being dented inward, or, in case it is forced inward, will cause the depressed portion to be at once restored to its normal position.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown a modified form of my counter, such as is found to be better adapted for use in the construction of boots or shoes for ordinary use. In this construction I dispense with the spring B at the transverse center of the rear of the counter, and in place thereof I employ two IOO similar spring-strips B', one being placed upon each side of the central line, and at a point midway between these spring-strips a Vertical slit C is provided, which slit extends vertically from the upper edge of the counter to its bottom edge, and atapoint adjacent to the upper end of the slit C the adjacent side edges are held together by means of an elastic fastening D. This construction enables the counter to readily adjust itself to the movements of the heel of the wearer, as will be readily understood.

In securing the counter to the insole I have found that tacks or pegs cannot be advantageously employed owing to the fact that the slight movements of the counter will serve to wear out or enlarge the openings through which the tacks or pegs are passed, and I therefore provide elongated openings E adjacent to the inner edges of the bottom of the counter, and through these openings I pass a loop F of elastic material, and this elastic strip is pegged or otherwise secured to the insole of the boot or shoe. This. fastening means serves to securely hold the counter in place7 and at the same time admit of its movement laterally within certain limits, so as to permit the counter to conform to the 1novements of the wearer.

The means which I have thus described of securing aluminum articles in place by the use of elastic strips passed through openings elongated in the direction of the edge of the material is not broadly claimed in this application, as the same forms the subject-matter of a separate application filed of even date herewith.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with an aluminum boot or shoe counter of a metallic spring embedded in the outer rear face of the counter, substantially as described and for the purpose speciiied.

f2. The combination with an aluminum boot or shoe-counter having its rear portion provided with metallic springs, of elastic connections whereby the counter is permitted to yield to the movements of the heel of the wea-rer, substantially as and for the purpose described.

The combination with the insole of a boot or shoe, of an aluminum counter secured to the insole by means of flat elastic strips passed through elongated openings provided adjacent to the inner edges of the bottom portion of the counter, said strips being'nailed or otherwise attached to the insole, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS 1I. DONOVAN. iVitnesses:

FRANKLIN Il. HOUGH, MORVEN THOMPSON. 

